“The front office and coaches, they’ve got our best interest at heart,” safety Nate Allen said. “They did what they thought was best for our team. That’s kind of out of our hands as players.”

Today the season is back in the hands of the players. It’s also under the direction of Todd Bowles, the former Temple University standout who takes over the defense when the Eagles oppose Exton native Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons at Lincoln Financial Field (1 p.m., Fox 29, WIP 94.1-FM).

King Dunlap is the other big change as he’s taken over at left tackle for the

The Eagles are just 11-11 in their last 22 games. They’ve won four of their last five at the Linc but have been vanquished in three of their last four starts, blowing fourth-quarter leads in the last two.

The last time these teams played the Falcons bounced back from a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Eagles 35-31 in Atlanta.

If the Weather Channel is right the game will be joined by a wet and wild Nor’easter.

If former Eagles and current Falcons cornerback Asante Samuel is right, there will be mixed emotions amongst the fans.

If history means anything the Eagles are 13-0 under Reid in games following their bye.

Eagles quarterback Michael Vick knows he has to be right. Assuming, of course, the decision to pull him after an undisclosed number of turnovers hasn’t already been made. He has 13 this season.

“This is a big game for us,” said Vick, who has thrown eight touchdown passes and eight interceptions. “But I think every game from here on out is going to be a big game. It’s a 10-week season for us and it’s going to kind of put things in perspective and assess our situation. We’re excited about it. We understand the magnitude of each and every game and we’ve just got to take it one game at a time.”

Reid is 6-2 against the Falcons in the regular season, including 4-0 in home games. He’s beaten them twice in the playoffs in Philly. He owns Falcons head coach Mike Smith.

Reid also owns a team with an anemic offense, ranking 30th in the league at 17.2 points per game, a pass rush that hasn’t registered a sack in three games and a defense with such eight takeaways – one more takeaway than the Falcons have giveaways. Add it up and factor in the breaks the Eagles got in tight wins over the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens and you’re on the verge of disaster.

Vick sounds confident the coaching staff pinpointed the attack’s strengths and weaknesses. The offensive line obviously factored in. King Dunlap starts at left tackle instead of Demetress Bell. Rookie Dennis Kelly likely gets the nod over Danny Watkins at right guard.

You’ll know if the self-scouting during the bye was productive the first time the Eagles get the ball.

“It definitely helps and it’s something you have to do,” Vick said. “Hopefully we can get this thing turned around. I’m optimistic we will.”

The Falcons give up rushing yardage but not a lot of points. Samuel, unwanted by the Eagles, could prove to be a factor even if doesn’t make a big play.

“Asante can give us some insight on the roster,” Smith said on a conference call. “And that’s probably the biggest thing is he’s practiced against those guys. Asante has been a great addition to our team. He’s a very positive guy. He’s a very vocal guy. He’s fun to be around. I’ve enjoyed interacting and coaching with him. He’s a very intelligent football player and I think his statistics speak to that.”

The strength of the Falcons defense is the line. Veteran John Abraham ranks among the league leaders in sacks. You can’t do a lot better than a starting group including Ray Edwards at the other end, and Johnathan Babineaux and Peria Jerry the tackles.

On the other side of the ball Ryan has thrown for 14 touchdowns and just six interceptions. Roddy White and Julio Jones is probably the best starting wide receiver tandem in the league. Veteran Tony Gonzalez is one of those tight ends the Eagles struggle with. He burned them for two scores last year. You really don’t want to be the guy that has to hit 244-pound running back Michael Turner. The Falcons even throw to Joe Hawley, an O-lineman who plays as an extra tight end.

“They like to air it out,” Allen said. “Ryan, he’s going to be ready. They’ve got all the weapons on offense. He’s a smart guy. He sees the field well. Makes all the right reads and the right throws. Doesn’t make too many mistakes. He just makes all the right decisions. They protect him real well, too.”

The 6-5 Ryan is a budding Peyton Manning running the no-huddle offense. Exton native Ryan also loves to throw into traffic … and through defensive linemen. Redskins pass rusher Ryan Kerrigan picked off a throw and returned it 28 yards for a score.

If the Eagles don’t win Sunday there could be more changes. If the Eagles fall short it won’t be a good thing for Vick – or, considering the pressure, the rookie quarterback warming up in the bullpen. Changing the defensive coordinator is one thing. How would starting Nick Foles play in the locker room?

“We’re trying to win ball games, man,” wide receiver Jeremy Maclin said. “Anything as far as personnel, as far as coaching, anything that is there is just the decision that they felt was necessary. All we can do is players is go out there, do our job and play the game.”